Brian Dettmer

As a fashion designer, I think it essential to take inspiration from the world around you...and especially what is going on in the realms of art, giving yourself a broader outlook than the sometimes narrow view of the fashion industry (much to the discomfort of my uber-commercial, 'celebrity-is-God' boss). Some of you may have heard of him already - especially those of you in America - but Brian Dettmer has caught my attention today. He creates wonderful sculptures and objects from old gangster VHS tapes, atlases and maps, however it is his carved book work which really enthralls me. As a child I tried numerous times to cut out the centre of a book, to conceal objects from my doting parents but to no avail. Dettmer has gone one step further, by peeling back the layers to reveal specifically selected layers of text and illustration carved from the pages of encyclopedias and books.

He exhibits at the Packer Schopf gallery, and they comment below on his work:

"Through the gaps in an architectural drawing or perhaps the chambers of the human heart, one can see a word peeking through, perhaps a clue to the larger meanings of the piece. These pieces seek to bridge the gap between a mediums form and its message. Dettmer manages to use the contrasting layers of image and text to explore the conveyance of information, as well as being able to get the viewer to examine what that can mean."

How could I take inspiration from a subject which seems so far from fashion, I hear you cry. I find it best to simplify things, looking at the shapes and lines created within Dettmer's work, sketching studies of the work and looking closely at the way forms overlap and intertwine with each other. I also love his idea of peeling back layers, to reveal (if a somewhat juxtaposed) ideas from within the book. An idea which could be translated into fashion, with further thought.

Unfortunately with all my job hunting, portfolio work, house hunting and other goings-on my personal projects have taken been put on the back-burner, but I can assure you that you will be the first to know when one is complete!